Said, Mahir M.John, Geoffrey R.Mhilu, Cuthbert F.Manyele, Samwel V.2016-03-302016-03-302015http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1381The kinetic properties of coconut shells during pyrolysis were studied to determine its reactivity in ground form. The kinetic parameterswere determined by using thermogravimetric analyser.The activation energywas 122.780 kJ/mol.The pyrolysis products were analyzed using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The effects of pyrolysis temperature on the distribution of the pyrolytic products were assessed in a temperature range between 673K and 1073K.The set time for pyrolysis was 2 s. Several compoundswere observed; theywere grouped into alkanes, acids, ethers and alcohols, esters, aldehydes and ketones, furans and pyrans, aromatic compounds, and nitrogen containing compounds.The product compositions varied with temperature in that range. The highest gas proportion was observed at high temperature while the acid proportion was observed to be highest in coconut shells, thus lowering the quality of bio-oil. It has been concluded that higher pyrolysis temperature increases the amount of pyrolysis products to a maximumvalue. It has been recommended to use coconut shell for production of gas, instead of production of bio-oil due to its high proportion of acetic acid.Coconut shell, Analytical Pyrolysis, Kinetics.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/307329